2021 Quinta Da Raza Alvarihnho Trajadura Vinho Verde Portugal

2021 Quinta Da Raza Alvarihnho Trajadura Vinho Verde Portugal

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPortugalProprietary White

QUINTA DA RAZA

ALVARINHO TRAJADURA
VINHO VERDE PORTUGAL 2021

2021 Quinta Da Raza Alvarihnho Trajadura Vinho Verde Portugal
Quinta da Raza is a family-owned winery located in the Vinho Verde DOC in Northwestern Portugal. The estate has been in operation for five generations, and they are passionate about producing high-quality wines that reflect the region’s unique terroir.
 
Vinho Verde is a coastal region that is exposed to the Atlantic Ocean. This combination of maritime influences and granite soils creates an ideal environment for growing white grape varieties. These grapes are often blended together to create both complex and refreshing wines.
 
The 2021 Alvarinho Trajadura is a perfect example of this type of wine. It is a blend of 60% Alvarinho and 40% Trajadura, and it was fermented in stainless steel and aged on the lees for four months. This results in a wine that is bright, refreshing, and full of flavor.
 
This wine is perfect for enjoying by the pool on a hot summer day. It would also be a great pairing for seafood dishes or light salads.
 
QUINTA DA RAZA
ALVARINHO TRAJADURA
VINHO VERDE PORTUGAL 2021
 
Your Price: $22
 
 
“The Quinta da Raza 2021 Alvarinho Trajadura is light, bright, and opens with playful notes of lime blossom, jasmine, grapefruit, white peach, fresh ginger, and a chalky minerality. On the palate, the wine is slightly effervescent with zesty acidity and flavors of blood orange, lime zest, cantaloupe, and freshly squeezed lemonade. This wine is a quintessential necessity for summertime with its opulence and levity and leaves a lasting impression accompanied by an impressive finish.”
97 Points
Helfrich Cremant D'Alsace Brut Alsace France

Helfrich Cremant D’Alsace Brut Alsace France

with No Comment $30 and underChampagne/SparklingFranceKevin Vogt

HELFRICH

CREMANT D’ALSACE BRUT
ALSACE, FRANCE

Helfrich Cremant D'Alsace Brut Alsace France
The Helfrich family has been in the wine and spirits business for three generations in Alsace, France, and is proud to craft traditional Alsatian wines from the region’s prized grape varieties. Alsace boasts 13 major soil types and is the second northernmost wine region after Champagne, experiencing a continental climate with cold, snowy winters and hot, sunny summers. The sunny weather promotes full physiological ripeness, while the cool nights preserve fresh acidity.
 
The Helfrichs strive to create wines with complexity, elegance, and balance that are lively and refreshing, and the Crémant is that and more. The wine is made by the traditional method, resting on the fine lees for three months before the second fermentation in the bottle and aging 24 months before disgorgement giving complexity, focus, and delightful drinkability. It’s my new favorite value sparkler.
 
HELFRICH
CREMANT D’ALSACE BRUT
ALSACE, FRANCE
 
 
 
“The Helfrich Crémant d’Alsace begins with fresh floral notes of jasmine and chamomile highlighted with green apple, lemon zest, and starfruit, with hints of wet stones. On the palate, the wine is refreshing with crisp acidity and flavors of quince, grapefruit, meringue, and pastry dough. This wine is the epitome of freshness in a glass and finishes with a snappy vibrance.” 
95 Points
2021 Kanzler Chardonnay Walker Station Vineyard RRV

2021 Kanzler Chardonnay Walker Station Vineyard Russian River Valley

with No Comment $60-$70ChardonnayKevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

KANZLER

CHARDONNAY 2021
WALKER STATION VINEYARD
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

2021 Kanzler Chardonnay Walker Station Vineyard RRV
In 1996, the Kanzler family was the first to plant vineyards in the chilly Sebastopol Hills in western Sonoma County, just eight miles from the Pacific Ocean. Steve Kanzler immersed himself in viticulture, taking classes at UC Davis, and sought advice from neighbors, winemakers, vineyard managers, and soil experts all around the county to perfect his knowledge and understanding of grape growing.
 
After the first harvest in 2000, Kanzler began to sell fruit to prominent and up-and-coming wineries, including Lynmar, Rivers-Marie, and Kosta Browne. The Kanzlers recognized the immense quality of another vineyard, Walker Station, and so when the opportunity came up to lease it after Harry Walker of Walker Station Vineyard retired, they didn’t hesitate.
 
Kanzler’s 2021 Walker Station Vineyard Chardonnay is sourced from the cool, hilly Green Valley of the Russian River Valley, giving opulent, fresh fruit that winemaker Alex Kanzler crafts into a focused style combining elegance, power, and finesse.
 
KANZLER
CHARDONNAY 2021
WALKER STATION VINEYARD
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
 
 
 
“The Kanzler 2021 Walker Station Chardonnay opens with energetic notes of acacia blossoms, jasmine, quince, yellow apple, star fruit, and buttercream frosting. On the palate, the wine has layered flavors that unfold into pear, apricot, baked apple pie, bourbon anglaise, and a crisp minerality. This wine has a satin-like quality that envelopes your taste buds and leads to a pleasant finish that enlightens the senses.”
95 Points
2022 Soalheiro Mineral Rose Alvarinho and Pinot Noir Portugal

2022 Soalheiro Mineral Rose Alvarinho and Pinot Noir Portugal

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPortugalRosé

SOALHEIRO 

MINERAL ROSÉ
ALVARINHO & PINOT NOIR
PORTUGAL 2022

2022 Soalheiro Mineral Rose Alvarinho and Pinot Noir Portugal
The founders of Soalheiro planted Alvarinho (Albariño) in 1974 in the Portuguese region of Monção and Melgaço, which was unheard of at the time. Today the third generation of the family runs the winery and has implemented sustainable viticulture to ensure the health of the vines and the surrounding environment.
 
The Soalheiro Mineral Rosé was inspired by the famous rosés of Provence, boasting minerality in a light, dry style of wine while giving prominence to two varieties from two different regions in Portugal. 
 
This unique blend showcases 70% Alvarinho and 30% Pinot Noir harvested and fermented separately before spending six months in stainless steel with lees contact. The 2022 release projects crisp mineral notes with light spice and fresh, exotic fruits, mirroring qualities I look for in the world’s top-level Rosés. 
 
SOALHEIRO 
MINERAL ROSÉ
ALVARINHO & PINOT NOIR
PORTUGAL 2022
 
 
 
“The Soalheiro 2022 Mineral Rosé of Alvarihno and Pinot Noir is exuberant and elegantly layered with aromas of wet stones, rose petals, lime zest, blood orange, lychee, and white strawberry. On the palate, the wine is crisp and complex with flavors of strawberry cream, grapefruit, pear, and lychee. This wine has bright acidity that perfectly complements the fresh fruit and minerality that dances into a brilliant finish.”
98 Points
2022 Massican Annia White Blend California

2022 Massican Annia White Blend California

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtProprietary WhiteUSA

MASSICAN

ANNIA WHITE BLEND
CALIFORNIA 2022

2022 Massican Annia White Blend California
Dan Petroski is a well-known (former Larkmead) winemaker in Napa Valley, and his latest creation is Annia, a white wine that’s a delight to drink.
 
Annia is a blend of Friulian grapes (Ribolla Gialla and Tocai Friulano) and Chardonnay, made in a Mediterranean style. This blend creates a fresh, vibrant, and approachable wine with a kaleidoscope of aromatics. The Chardonnay provides structure and acidity, while the Friulian grapes add complexity and depth.
 
The 2022 vintage of Annia is a lovely wine that’s pale yellow with citrus and orange blossom aromas and a palate that is fresh and lively, with peach and lemon zest flavors with an underlying thread of complex minerality, leading to a long, lingering finish.
 
If you enjoy interesting white wines, I think you will love this one.
 
MASSICAN
ANNIA WHITE BLEND
CALIFORNIA 2022
 
 
 
“The Massican 2022 Annia is an elegantly styled white blend that brings aromas of orange blossom, peach, yellow apple, lemon, wet stones, and an oceanic salinity. On the palate, the flavors are broadened by the medium to full-bodied texture with notes of white blossoms, peach, lemon zest, and a crisp minerality. This wine is not only easy to drink but brings complexity that carries into a beautiful finish.”
95 Points
2021 Saddleback Chardonnay Napa Valley

2021 Saddleback Chardonnay Napa Valley

with No Comment $30 and underChardonnayKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

SADDLEBACK

CHARDONNAY 2021
NAPA VALLEY

2021 Saddleback Chardonnay Napa Valley
Nils Venge is a celebrated American winemaker and the first to achieve a perfect 100 Point score by making the 1985 Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, establishing a hierarchy of superior winemaking in Napa. Nils started Saddleback Cellars in 1976 on 14 acres of vineyards in Oakville, also home to Harlan Estate, Opus One, and Screaming Eagle.
 
Combining one of the country’s best winemakers, an impressive estate terroir, and a bit of sourcing from viticultural havens in Napa Valley, Nils crafts this outstanding Chardonnay, giving a frame of reference for what the variety is capable of in the right environment. 
 
Crafted in a quintessential Napa Valley style, Saddleback’s Chardonnay highlights Napa Valley character, combined with notes reminiscent of Burgundy, offering fantastic value at this price level. 
 
SADDLEBACK
CHARDONNAY 2021
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $45
 
 
 
“Saddleback Cellars 2021 Napa Valley Chardonnay opens with acacia blossoms, vanilla bean, apricot, peach, and nutmeg notes. On the palate, the wine has a silky-smooth texture and flavors of ripe stone fruits, vanilla cream, baking spices, and a hint of wet stone minerality. This wine is a bright, fresh example of California Chardonnay and showing off at the moment, making an excellent pairing for this summer.”
94 Points
2022 J. Bucher Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley

2022 J. Bucher Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtRussian River ValleySauvignon BlancSonomaUSA

J. BUCHER

SAUVIGNON BLANC
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY 2022

2022 J. Bucher Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley
Located in Healdsburg at the site of an old dairy farm, Bucher Vineyard is one of the Russian River Valley’s most prized vineyards. Renowned producers Williams Selyem, Merry Edwards, and Joseph Jewell have all produced single vineyard wines from Bucher, highlighting the site’s ability to deliver exceptional fruit. 
 
Bob Cabral, the former winemaker at Williams Selyem, helped the Bucher family establish their vineyards, quickly becoming a top supplier for some of the Russian River Valley’s most renowned wineries. The 2022 Bucher Estate Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc comes from a block planted in the 1970s and takes on a European approach to the variety with fresh minerality and a delicate balance of citrus and tropical fruits, perfect for warm summer months. 
 
J. BUCHER
SAUVIGNON BLANC
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY 2022
Retails at: $38
 
 
 
“J. Bucher’s 2022 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc is similar to the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast because it gives powerfully concentrated fruit with delicate elegance. The wine opens with ripe citrus fruits, including lemon and grapefruit, a backdrop of white blossoms, and some hints of pineapple and lychee. On the palate, the wine offers notes of ripe lemon, golden apple, green mango, and chalky minerality.”
94 Points
2022 Leto Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County

2022 Leto Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtSauvignon BlancSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

LETO CELLARS

SAUVIGNON BLANC
SONOMA COUNTY 2022

2022 Leto Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County
Brad Warner, co-founder and winemaker at Leto Cellars, has over 50 years of dedication and experience in the wine industry. He began his career in the cellar at Charles Krug Winery, followed by nearly 30 years of tenure at Robert Mondavi Winery, where he served as the Vice President of Production. Brad’s wife, Lisa, was also at Mondavi and was in charge of all aspects of wine production for over 30 years, founding Leto Cellars in 2008 and leaning into their well-deserved knowledge and adoration for their work.
 
“Leto” translates to “the hidden one” in Greek, and Leto Cellars symbolizes finding a fantastic wine made with passion at an unbelievably low price point. 
 
The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc was stainless steel-fermented, giving a very aromatically pure character, bursting with concentrated flavors and crisp acidity, perfect for a warm summer day.
 
LETO CELLARS
SAUVIGNON BLANC
SONOMA COUNTY 2022
Retails at: $28
 
 
 
“The Leto 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is brilliantly aromatic with notes of white blossoms, lemon zest, pink grapefruit, white peach, passion fruit, and golden straw. On the palate, the wine has a lively intensity with concentrated flavors of lemon, Granny Smith apple, mandarin orange, and gooseberry and a long, playful finish.”
94 Points
2020 Maison Jessiaume Bourgogne Chardonnay Burgundy France

2020 Maison Jessiaume Bourgogne Chardonnay Burgundy France

with No Comment $30 and underBurgandyChardonnayFranceKevin Vogt

MAISON JESSIAUME

BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY
BURGUNDY FRANCE 2020

2020 Maison Jessiaume Bourgogne Chardonnay Burgundy France
Founded in 1850 in the Santenay region of Burgundy, Maison Jessiaume’s proprietors are unwaveringly committed to continuing the winery’s legacy and showcasing unique terroirs. Jessiaume controls thirty-seven acres of organically farmed vines across fifteen sub-appellations, with their Chardonnay vines predominant in the southern areas. These vineyards provide crisp, clean acidity, minerality, and floral notes to the wines.
 
The winemaking team relies on a minimalistic approach, removing human intervention as much as possible and utilizing techniques such as ambient yeast fermentation, gravity flow, and natural clarification. The 2020 Bourgogne Chardonnay is a blend of different plots that were delicately refined over ten months in neutral French oak, keeping the characteristics of the fruit intact while providing a bit more structure, spice, and a softer mouthfeel that is delightfully approachable.
 
MAISON JESSIAUME
BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY
BURGUNDY FRANCE 2020
 
 
 
“The Domaine Jessiaume 2020 Bourgogne Chardonnay comes from a nearly perfect vintage for white wines, evident in this wine with concentrated aromas of honeysuckle, chamomile, apricot, custard, allspice, and wet stones. On the palate, the flavors or just as intense with peach, and pear, with a hint of butterscotch pot de crème. The wine is drinking fabulously at the moment, with or without food, and is impressively delightful.”
95 Points
 
2021 Le Petit Broux Sancerre Blanc Loire Valley

2021 Le Petit Broux Sancerre Blanc Loire Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtLoire ValleySancerreSauvignon BlancUSA

LE PETIT BROUX

SANCERRE BLANC
LOIRE VALLEY 2021

2021 Le Petit Broux Sancerre Blanc Loire Valley
Sancerre is one of the most sought-after styles of Sauvignon Blanc worldwide because of its sophistication and vivid sense of place. The wines are famous for their clean, fresh character with focused flinty minerality, salinity, textured layers of citrus, and tropical fruit flavors on riper vintages.
 
The classic French region is located in the heart of the country and has been a center of French resistance since the Middle Ages, bringing people together for centuries. After a warm vintage the previous year, the cooler 2021 vintage reveals classic Sancerre nuances, and the Le Petit Broux bottling displays zesty acidity, lower alcohol levels, and vibrant, bright fruit with a finish that keeps you wanting glass after glass.
 
LE PETIT BROUX
SANCERRE BLANC
LOIRE VALLEY 2021
 
 
 
“The 2021 vintage for Sancerre brought back originality with cooler temperatures giving aromas of gooseberry, lemon zest, green melon, and a crushed seashell minerality. On the palate, the Le Petit Broux has a fresh, clean mouthfeel and bright acidity with flavors of lemongrass, green grapefruit, lime, and oceanic salinity. The wine finishes with energy, liveliness, and a sense of elevation.”
93-94 Points